Research Journal of Environmental and Earth Sciences 4(3): 237-243, 2012
ISSN: 2041-0492
© Maxwell Scientific Organization, 2012
Submitted: October 26, 2011
Accepted: November 25, 2011
Published: March 01, 2012
Heavy Metals in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Persiformes: Cichlidae),
Ictalurus punctanus (Rafinesque, 1818) (Suliriformes: Ictaluridae) and Bottom
Sediments from Lagos Lagoon Proximal to Egbin Power Plant,
Ijede, Ikorodu, Lagos Nigeria
1,2
R.A. Olowu, 2C.T. Onwordi, 3A.A. Denloye, 2M.O Osundiya, 2N.O. Adebayo, 2M.S. Owolabi,
2
O.O. Tovide, 2B.A. Moronkola, 1O.A. Omoyeni and 4O.R. Ajuwon
1
Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape Private Bag X17 Bellville,
South Africa
2
Department of Chemistry,
3
Department of Zoology, Lagos State University, P.O Box 001 LASU Post Office,
Lagos, Nigeria
4
Oxidative Stress Research Centre, Faculty of Health and Wellness Sciences, Cape Peninsula
University of Technology, PMB 1906, Bellville, South Africa
Abstract: This study presents the level of the heavy metal concentration in sediment and two fish species from
the Ijede end of the Lagos lagoon in order to ascertain the pollution level of the lagoon .The pollution status
of sediment and two fish species namely the Nile Tilapia Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) (Persiformes:
Cichlidae) and Channel Catfish Ictalurus punctanus (Rafinesque, 1818) (Suliriformes: Ictaluridae) in the Ijede
end of Lagos lagoon were investigated. Samples of the test fish species and bottom sediments of the Lagoon
were analyzed quantitatively for the presence of the cadmium (Cd), cobalt (Co), lead (Pb), iron (Fe) and zinc
(Zn) using atomic absorption spectrophotometer. The results showed that the sediment contained a higher
concentration of the metals than the fish samples with Fe recording the highest value of 33.32 :g/g against
18.34 and19.55 :g/g in the two fish species sampled. The study on the two fish samples revealed a higher
concentration of lead (2.88 :g/g) in the Tilapia compared to the Catfish species indicating the pollution trend
of the two fish species investigated in the lagoon. The concentration of Cd, Fe and Zn in the fish species
sampled was within limits permitted by the National Food, Drug adminstration and Control (NAFDAC) and
the United State Food and Drug Agency (USFDA). However, the concentrations of lead (Pb) in the fish species
was above the recommended standard which indicate that the fish species studied in the area are unsafe for
consumption.
Key words: Anthropogenic source, effluents discharges, heavy metal, Ictalunus punctanus, Oreochomis
niloticus, power generation, toxic substances
environmental pollutants, metals are of particular concern,
due to their potential toxic effect and ability to
bioaccumulate in aquatic organisms (Censi et al., 2006).
Many African aquatic ecosystems are increasingly
experiencing heavy metal pollution due to growing
agricultural and industrial development (Kamaruzzaman
et al., 2011). The level of these metals in the aquatic
environment has increased immensely in the past decades
as a result of human inputs and activities (Omoigberale
and Ikponmwosa-Eweka, 2010; Feranandes et al., 2008).
These inputs include various treated and untreated
effluents, agricultural surface water run-off, as well
atmosphericic particulates (Olowu et al., 2010b;
Kamaruzzaman et al., 2011, Ololade et al., 2008; Adeniyi
and Yusuf, 2007; Kosi-Siakpere et al., 2007;
Alabasterus and Iloyd, 1980). The vulnerability of aquatic
INTRODUCTION
The aquatic environment with its water quality is
considered the major factor controlling the state of health
and disease in both cultured and wild fishes. The pollution
of the aquatic environment with heavy metals has turned
out to be a worldwide problem in recent years, because
these pollutants are resilient and often have toxic effects
on organisms (Olowu et al., 2010a, MacFarlane and
Burchett, 2000; Sam et al., 2010; Storelli et al., 2005).
Furthermore, factors such as high population growth
accompanied by intensive urbanization, increase in
industrial activities and higher exploitation of natural
resources including cultivable land have caused pollution
increase (Olowu et al., 2010a; Kamaruzzaman et al.,
2011; Adefemi and Awokunmi, 2010). Among
Corresponding Author: R.A. Olowu, Department of Chemistry, University of the Western Cape Private Bag X17 Bellville, South
Africa
237
Res. J. Environ. Earth Sci., 4(3): 237-243, 2012
However, Lagos as a commercial hub and the
industrial nerve center of Nigeria with an estimated
population of more than 17 million people, environmental
concerns are normally focused on Lagos State. Over 60%
of Nigeria’s industries are cited in the state, each
discharging its characteristic range of effluents containing
heavy metals into the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems
within the state. Typically, the lagoon system in Lagos
State is made up of Badagry, Ologe, Lagos, Lekki, Epe
and Ikorodu lagoons and which act as sink or reservoir
receiving effluents of over 10,000 m3 daily from drainages
through different parts of the metropolis and hinterland
(Olowu et al., 2010b, Oyewo and Don-Pedro, 2003). The
Lagos lagoon at the Ijede end of Lagos state receives
discharges from the Egbin thermal station of the Power
Holding Company of Nigeria, the Nigeria National
Petroleum Cooperation (NNPC) gas plant, runoffs from
dump sites in the community, exhausts form automobile
activities at the jetty and agricultural runoff from the
farming communities along the river course couple with
upsurge of population towards this area due to
reformation taken place in the entire state arose the need
to investigate the pollution status of the lagoon. The
Lagos Lagoon forms a major transport channel from
Ikorodu to Lekki-Ajah area of Lagos State and also serves
as fishing sources, drinking water source and an asset for
recreational activities like swimming for the people in
Ijede area of Ikorodu Lagos State.
It becomes imperative to ascertain the safety of these
fishes caught from this lagoon before they are consumed
by man. The results obtained from this study should
provide information on levels of metals in the water,
sediments and samples of fish species from the lagoon,
and overall environmetal quality of the lagoon.
habitats to inorganic element contamination has been
established (Adeniyi and Yusuf, 2007) and pollution of
the aquatic environment by inorganic chemicals is a
potent threat to the aquatic organisms including fishes.
Inorganic ions from these chemicals are inadvertently
sourced from agricultural drainage water containing
pesticides and fertilizers as well as effluents of industrial
activities and runoffs (ECDG, 2002; Yoshiteru, 2002).
(Olowu et al., 2010b) and Andrew et al. (1980) reported
that fish living in polluted water, may accumulate
pollutants from water via their food chains as well as fish
feeding on small marine organisms, algae and bottom
sediments that readily accumulate dangerous inorganic
elements.
Sediments are the major repository of heavy metals
in aquatic system while both allochthonous and
autochthonous influences could make a concentration of
heavy metals in the water high enough to be of ecological
significance (Olowu et al., 2010a; Awofolu et al., 2005;
Oyewo and Don-Pedro, 2003). It is very well establshed
that the bottom sediment of many of Nigeria’s aquatic
ecosystem is highly inundated with heavy metal pollutants
(Olowu et al., 2010a; Awofolu et al., 2005; Asaolu and
Olaofe, 2005). It is also known that contaminated
sediments can intimidate creatures in the benthic
environment, exposing worms, crustaceans and insects to
harmful concentrations of toxic chemicals (Olowu et al,.,
2010a). In this regard some toxic sediments kill benthic
organisms, reducing the food available to larger animals
such as fish while others are taken up by benthic
organisms and bioaccumulated when bigger animals feed
on these contaminated organisms. This signals the taking
up of the pollutants with their toxic effects and thus
moves up the food chain in increasing concentrations in
a process well-known as biomagnifications (Olowu et al.,
2010b, Abida et al., 2009; Adefemi et al., 2008). It
remains to be shown if these pollutants get to Man
through his food and if so, which of his food serves as
veritable sources of these pollutants.
Fish constitute one of such sources for the
accumulation of heavy metals in Man. They are highly
valued for their balanced level of amino acid, vitamin B12
cholesterol, high polysaturated fatty acid and therefore
accounts for 40% of the animal protein in the diet of
Nigerians (Olowu et al., 2010a). Fish species are
notorious for their ability to concentrate heavy metals in
their muscles, yet they play important role in human
nutrition (Olowu et al., 2010a, Adeniyi and Yusuf, 2007).
Consequently, there is need to carefully screen them in
order to ensure that unnecessary high level of toxic trace
metals are not being transferred to man through them.
This provides a background for the anlysis of the
candidate metals in fish species in the present study.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Sample site: The sample site is located at the Ijede end of
the Lagos lagoon between Egbin thermal station discharge
point and the Ijede ferry Jetty. The Ijede axis is not one of
the deepest points of the lagoon with its depth ranging
from 10-50 m. At Ijede, the lagoon receives discharges
from the Egbin thermal station of the Power Holding
Company of Nigeria, the Nigeria National Petroleum
Cooperation (NNPC) gas plant, runoffs from dump sites
in the community, exhausts from automobile activities at
the jetty and agricultural runoff from the farming
communities along the river course and the area
overpopulation with the aim of assessing the influence of
discharged into the water body. Samples of sediment and
fish (Oreochomis niloticus and Ictalunus punctanus) were
collected between the Egbin thermal station discharge
point and Ijede Jetty (Fig. 1).
238
Res. J. Environ. Earth Sci., 4(3): 237-243, 2012
Fig. 1: Map showing the various sampling point in Ijede, Ikorodu Lagos State
cleaned electric Moulinex® blender. The pulverized fish
samples were sieved with a 2 mm mesh and stored in
clean polythene bags. The sediment samples were air
dried for 14 days and then pulverized and it was then
sieved with the 2 mm mesh and stored in a clean
polythene bag.
The fish and sediment samples were prepared
respectively for metal analysis using the wet digestion
method. For the fish samples, 5 g of each of the dried
pulverized samples was weighed into separate 250 mL
conical flasks, the fish samples being homogenized with
50 mL of deionized water after 10 mL of concentrated
HCl and 5ml of concentrated HNO3 were added in
succession. The mixture was heated on an electrical heater
to a thick yellow solid but ensuring that the digest does
not dry up. It was allowed to cool, filtered and the filtrate
made up to 100mL with distilled water for the
determination of Cd, Co, Pb, Fe and Zn. This was stored
in acid washed plastic bottles. Blank samples were also
carried out. The cadmium, cobalt, lead, iron and zinc
levels of the digests were determined by a BUK scientific,
VGP 210 model flame atomic absorption
spectrophotometer.
Sampling and sampling method: Sampling was carried
out in accordance with the recommendation of UNEP
(2006) reference method for marine pollution studies
previously used by Olowu et al. (2010a). Sediments and
fish samples were collected between the period of
December 2008 and March 2009 at the Ijede end of the
Lagos lagoon fortnightly for analytical purposes. The
species used for the study are Oreochomis niloticus and
Ictalunus punctanus. Each fish species were caught in the
lagoons using drag net, which were usually left over night
in the lagoon by local fishermen. Each fish was properly
cleaned by rinsing with distilled water to remove debris
planktons and other external adherent. It was then drained
under folds of filter, weighed, wrapped in aluminum foil
and transported to the laboratory and then frozen at -10ºC
prior to analysis. Samples were collected at varying
distances of the lagoon, some as far as 200 m away from
the bank of the lagoon. Bottom sediment from each study
sites was collected in the same lagoon into pre-cleaned
polythene bag using a stainless van-veen grab alongside
the fish samples. Each batch of fish and sediments were
collected at an interval of two weeks to each other
Sample preparation: For analysis the fish samples were
defrosted for two hours. The scales were removed and the
batches of fish samples were weighed before and after
oven drying. Drying of the fish samples was done using
Gallenkamp® hot box oven at a temperature of 110ºC for
2 h. After drying, the samples were pulverized in an acid
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of the analysis are presented in Table 1,
2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, respectively. Table 1, 2, 3 and 4
showed the level of heavy metal concentration in Catfish
239
Res. J. Environ. Earth Sci., 4(3): 237-243, 2012
Table 1: Heavy metal concentration in fish sample at sampling point 1
Fish samples Cd (:g/g) Co (:g/g) Pb (:g/g) Fe (:g/g) Zn (:g/g)
CFA
0.44
4.00
3.60
5.40
18.00
CFB
0.22
2.00
3.60
7.20
18.80
0.26
1.80
2.00
0.00
14.80
CFC
Mean
0.31
2.60
3.10
4.20
17.20
0.24
3.40
7.20
8.40
23.00
TFA
0.36
2.00
2.80
8.00
19.00
TFB
0.20
1.40
1.40
5.40
16.20
TFC
Mean
0.27
2.27
3.80
7.27
19.40
Table 6: Mean concentration (:g/g) and Metal Pollution Index (MPI)
of heavy metal [Cd, Co, Pb, Fe, Zn] from four sampling points
in tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
Sampling point Cd
Co
Pb
Fe
Zn
MPI
1
0.27
2.27
3.80
7.27
19.40 3.19
2
0.39
2.33
2.73
7.40
19.87 3.25
3
0.41
2.13
2.60
13.13 19.27 3.56
4
0.40
2.53
2.40
5.53
19.67 3.05
Mean
0.37
2.32
2.88
8.33
19.55
SD
±0.06 ±0.14 ±0.54 ±2.92 ±0.23
Table 2: Heavy metal concentration in fish sample at sampling point 2
Fish samples Cd (:g/g) Co (:g/g) Pb (:g/g) Fe (:g/g) Zn (:g/g)
CFA
0.46
3.80
3.20
4.60
21.20
CFB
0.38
2.00
2.20
5.60
18.20
0.28
1.40
1.60
6.20
15.80
CFC
Mean
0.37
2.40
2.33
5.47
18.40
0.60
3.00
4.40
10.00
23.60
TFA
0.38
1.80
2.20
8.00
19.60
TFB
TFC
0.20
2.20
1.60
4.20
16.40
Mean
0.39
2.33
2.73
7.40
19.87
Table 7: Mean concentration (:g/g) of heavy metals [Cd, Co, Pb, Fe,
Zn] from locations in sediments
Sampling point Cd
Co
Pb
Fe
Zn
1
3.06
0.33
2.16
27.32
18.67
2
2.65
0.15
1.57
34.33
23.05
3
2.81
0.88
2.85
33.32
29.15
4
3.11
0.16
2.29
27.15
22.11
5
3.27
0.58
2.31
31.31
24.77
6
3.06
0.28
2.87
32.94
25.56
7
2.24
0.23
2.27
3262
25.55
Mean
2.89
0.37
2.33
31.28
24.13
SD
±0.35
±0.27
±0.44
±2.91
±3.28
Table 3: Heavy metal concentration in fish sample at sampling point 3
Fish samples Cd (:g/g) Co (:g/g) Pb (:g/g) Fe (:g/g) Zn (:g/g)
CFA
0.46
3.60
3.00
4.20
23.00
0.32
1.80
3.80
5.40
17.40
CFB
0.20
1.60
1.80
5.20
15.80
CFC
Mean
0.33
2.33
2.87
5.27
18.73
0.70
2.00
3.60
26.60
22.20
TFA
0.30
2.40
2.60
8.60
19.40
TFB
0.22
2.20
1.60
4.20
16.20
TFC
Mean
0.41
2.13
2.60
13.13
19.27
Table 8: Correlation coefficients between metal concentration in
sediments and in Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) and catfish
(Ictalurus punctatus) at p>0.05
Metals
--------------------------------------------------Correlations
Cd
Co
Pb
Fe
Zn
Tilapia and sediment
- 0.30
- 0.41 - 0.45
0.39
- 0.02
Catfish and sediment
- 0.27
0.39
0.20
0.57
0.96
Catfish and tilapia
0.45
- 0.50 - 0.73 - 0.12
0.22
Table 9: Comparism of mean metal concentration values with
maximum acceptable level of metal concentrations of certain
organisms and agencies for fish samples
Present study
Organizations
----------------------- -------------------------------------------Metals
Tilapia
Catfish
FAO USFDA WHO NAFDAC
Cd
0.37
0.34
2.0
1.5
0.2
3.0
Co
2.32
2.47
Pb
2.88
2.62
0.5
1.5
0.01
Fe
8.33
5.22
Zn
19.55
18.34
30.0
-
Table 4: Heavy metal concentration in fish sample at sampling point 4
Fish samples Cd (:g/g) Co (:g/g) Pb (:g/g) Fe (:g/g) Zn (:g/g)
CFA
0.50
3.40
3.00
5.40
22.20
0.32
2.60
2.60
7.80
18.20
CFB
0.24
1.60
1.60
5.00
15.80
CFC
Mean
0.35
2.53
2.40
5.93
18.73
0.64
2.80
3.00
4.60
22.60
TFA
0.34
2.80
2.60
7.80
20.20
TFB
TFC
0.22
2.00
1.60
4.20
16.20
Mean
0.40
2.53
2.40
5.53
19.67
CFA: Catfish Sampled in December, (Dry Season); CFB: Catfish
Sampled in February, (Rainy Season); CFC: Catfish Sampled in March
(Heavy Rainy Season); TFA: Tilapia fish Sampled in December, (Dry
Season); TFB: Tilapia Fish Sampled in February, (Rainy Season); TFC:
Tilapia fish Sampled in March (Heavy Rainy Season)
Sampling Points in Catfish (Ictalurus punctatus) and
Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) were summarized in
Table 5 and 6 respectively. Table 7 present the mean
concentration of heavy metal in the sediment at different
sampling points. The mean comparison of the heavy metal
concentration in the analyzed fish samples and the
acceptable standards in fish and the correlation
coefficients between the metal concentration in the fish
samples and the sediment were presented in Table 8 and
9, respectively. Figure 2 shows the mean concentration
(:g/g) of heavy metal in catfish from four locations,
Fig. 3 mean concentration (:g/g) of heavy metal in
sediment from seven locations while Fig. 4 shows mean
concentration (:g/g) of heavy metal in cat fish from four
locations The level of heavy metal concentration in both
fish samples at the sampling point 1 of the Ijede end of the
lagoon in Table 1 ranged from 0.27 :g/g Cd -19.40 :g/g
Zn. The highest concentration of heavy metal investigated
was recorded in the sediment which has been reported to
Table 5: Mean concentration (:g/g) and Metal Pollution Index (MPI)
of heavy metal [Cd, Co, Pb, Fe, Zn] from four sampling points
in catfish (Ictalurus punctatus)
Sampling point Cd
Co
Pb
Fe
Zn
MPI
1
0.31
2.60
3.07
4.20 17.20 2.82
2
0.37
2.40
2.33
5.47 18.40 2.91
3
0.31
2.33
2.67
5.27 18.73 2.86
4
0.35
2.53
2.40
5.93 18.73 2.98
Mean
0.34
2.47
2.62
5.22 18.34
SD
±0.03
±0.11
±0.29
±0.63 ±0.63
(Ictalurus punctatus) and Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus)
species at different sampling points within the lagoon.
The mean Concentration (:g/g) and Metal Pollution Index
(MPI) of heavy metal [Cd, Co, Pb, Fe, and Zn] from Four
240
Res. J. Environ. Earth Sci., 4(3): 237-243, 2012
20
Cd
Pb
Fe
Co
carnivores may have taken the iron from the iron rich bed
material along with food which is in an agreement with
earlier reports from Olowu et al. (2010a) and Adefemi
et al. (2008).
Table 2 shows the metal distribution at the sampling
points 2. Zn was consistently higher tha n other metals
analyzed. It ranged between 15.80 -19.87 :g/g in the fish
sample. The level of cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in the
fish samples studied revealed a higher concentration of
the metals compared to the standard set value of 1.5 :g/g
(Pb) and 0.20 :g/g (Cd) in fish. The high level of these
metals may be ascribed to the closer proximity of the
sample points to the effluent discharge point from Egbin
power station of power holding of Nigeria (PHCN) as
well as the discharges from the drainage point of the
Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) gas
plant depot situated in the studied area. Higher
concentrations of the heavy metal were also recorded in
the sediment at this sampling point. The level of metal
concentration in the sediment at the sampling point 3 is
presented in Table 3 which is closer to the residential
area. The metal concentration ranged from 0.88 :g/g Co
-33.32 :g/g Fe while that of the fish samples ranged from
0.2 :g/g Co-19.40 :g/g Zn. The values of lead and
cadmium recorded at this sampling site were found to be
higher than the standard which may be attributed to
various discharges of petroleum and petroleum product
from the residents as result of continuous use of
generating sets powered with leaded gasoline due to
incessant power failure as well as domestic wastes
discharge into the lagoon.
Zinc (Zn), iron (Fe) and lead (Pb) were the chief
metal found in fish samples analyzed at sampling point 4
as shown in Table 4. The most predominant metal
recorded in the sediment at sampling point 4 of the Ijede
end of the lagoon were Fe (27.15.32 :g/g) and Zn (22.11
:g/g) and Pb (2.29 :g/g). As shown in Table 5 other
sampling points (5-7) investigated also revealed a higher
load of heavy metal. Sampling point 4 is closer to town
hall, church garage and a host of other relaxation centre
hence various discharges from church as vehicular
emission, from the church garage as well as domestic
waste from the various activities from the relaxation spots
may be responsible to high value of Pb. and Cd. The
concentration of cadmium was low in the fish sample
compared to Pb concentration but has a preference for the
sediment being the major depositing agent for metal
which is in agreement with earlier report (Olowu et al.,
2010a; Adeniyi and Yusuf, 2007; Ali et al., 2010;
Maaboodi et al., 2011).
The overall mean concentrations of heavy metal in
the Ijede proximity are presented in Table 6 and 7. The
tables revealed a higher concentration of heavy metal in
tilapia fish with a higher load of Pb, Fe, Zn and Cd
compared to catfish with highest metal pollution index at
sampling point 3 and 4 which is situated close to the jetty
where the fish species are likely to have to have greater
Zn
15
10
5
0
CF1
CF2
CF3
CF4
Fig. 2: Mean concentration (:g/g) of heavy metal in cat fish
from four locations
Cd
20
Pb
Fe
Co
Zn
15
10
5
0
TF1
TF2
TF3
TF4
Fig. 3: Mean concentration (:g/g) of heavy metal in tilapia
from four locations
40
Cd
Co
Pb
Fe
Zn
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
Sd1
Sd2
Sd3
Sd4
Sd5
Sd6
Sd7
Fig. 4: Mean concentration (:g/g) of heavy metal in tilapia
from seven locations
serve as major repository of heavy metal in aquatic
system (Olowu et al., 2010a; Adeniyi and Yusuf, 2007;
Maaboodi et al., 2011). The sediment at sampling point 1
was particularly enriched with Fe (27.32 :g/g) and Zn
(18.7 :g/g) while cobalt had the least value of 0.33 :g/g.
The high content of iron in the sediment may be because
of the clayey material that forms the river bed in the area
sampled. This may explain the high concentration
recorded in the fish species sampled. The fish, being
241
Res. J. Environ. Earth Sci., 4(3): 237-243, 2012
useful for such studies and policy formulation. Lastly,
there is need for regular monitoring of the level of heavy
metals among the communities around Ijede
roaming laxity. From these Tables it can be seen that
tilapia fish species are more polluted than the catfish in
the study however the fish species studied in the lagoon
had lesser heavy metal concentration than what was
reported for fish species studied from Lagdo Lake in
Cameroun (Ali et al., 2010). The pollution of the fish
species investigated may be attributed to indiscriminate
discharge of untreated effluent from the Egbin power
station as well as discharge from NNPC gas depot. The
correlation coefficients between the tilapia, catfish and the
sediment in Cd, Co, Pb are very weak but there exist a
strong correlation in iron in tilapia as well strong
correlation in Zn and Fe in catfish respectively which
revealed that there is a common source of these metals in
the study fishes as shown in Table 8. The strong
correlation of Fe in both fish species may also be
attributed to the high nutritive value of iron in living
organisms (Olowu et al., 2010a). It is noteworthy that the
coefficients obtained for Fe in Tilapia and Co, Pb, Fe and
Zn in catfish were positive at p<0.05 level of confidence
with the sediment. Coefficients close to zero or negative
indicates that the amount of metals in the sediment is not
directly reflected in the fish species which is an indication
that concentration are probably lower than the threshold
below which these organisms are able to regulate the
accumulation of metal in the bodies (Ikem et al., 2003).
The Comparison of the mean concentration of the metal
in Table 9 in the fish species sampled revealed that Cd, Fe
and Zn fall within the acceptable limits of various metal
for fish sampled. However, high concentration of lead
(Pb) was observed in the two fish species with tilapia
species recording the highest value of 2.88 :g/g compared
with the reference standards and this shows a high level
of pollution of the lagoon. In addition it can also be
inferred from this work that the tilapia fish are more
polluted and that the two species from the lagoon in the
studied area are unsafe for consumption hence proactive
measure must be taking in ensuring treatment of the
effluents from this power station before been discharge
into the aquatic environment.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
The author wish to acknowledge the divers and the
local fishermen for there assistance during samples
collection.
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The present study showed that the impact of effluent
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activities of automobiles at the Ijede jetty poses a great
treat to the aquatic life and humans through the
consumption of the O. niloticus and I. punctanus from the
lagoon. There is therefore a great need for stiffer measures
in ensuring that the two companies treat their wastes
properly before discharging them into the lagoon. Also, a
sustainable environmental pollution remediation program
needs to be evolved in order to arrest the level of
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